Academics

Deborah Cato

Instructor of Biology

Degrees

M.S., B.A., Bridgewater State College

Main Interests

I coordinate and teach the laboratory portion of our department's Biology 111 course. This is the introductory course for students interested in a science major. I teach the lecture, and coordinate and teach some of the laboratory sections, of Biology 101, our non-majors introductory biology course.

Research Interests

I have been investigating the process and regulation of adipocyte differentiation in the cell line 3T3-L1, mouse fibroblast cells.

Teaching Interests

I am very interested in the teaching of science to non-science majors, specifically, pre-service teachers. Instilling an appreciation and wonder of science to our future teachers, and younger students, is important to ensure a science literate society. Part of this interest includes my participation in "floating classrooms". Elementary through college age students board the Capt Mac and travel among the Boston Harbor Islands to learn about marine ecology, navigation and water chemistry.

Other Interests

Occasionally, during the summer months, I also enjoy being a marine mammal naturalist aboard the Capt Mac whale watching boat. We travel out to Stellwegan Bank to study and observe humpbacks, minkes, fin backs, and right whales, as well as white-sided Atlantic dolphins.